This is great: An interview of Mark Twain by Rudyard Kipling before Kipling became famous, first published in the Pioneer of Allahabad, India. Kipling journeyed from India to Elmira, NY to meet "that man Clemens" (what everyone in Elmira seems to call him). It starts: You are a contemptible lot, over yonder. Some of you are Commissioners, and some Lieutenant-Governors, and some have the V. C., and a few are privileged to walk about the Mall arm in arm with the Viceroy; but I have seen Mark Twain this golden morning, have shaken his hand, and smoked a cigar—no, two cigars—with him, and talked with him for more than two hours! Understand clearly that I do not despise you; indeed, I don’t. I am only very sorry for you, from the Viceroy downward. To soothe your envy and to prove that I still regard you as my equals, I will tell you all about it.posted by peacheater at 9:42 AM on August 2, 2011 [1 favorite]

Every day 365 Tomorrows offers a free story. Or, you could - you know - get off your duff and write one.

Tags

Share

About MetaFilter

MetaFilter is a weblog that anyone can contribute a link or a comment to. A typical weblog is one person posting their thoughts on the unique things they find on the web. This website exists to break down the barriers between people, to extend a weblog beyond just one person, and to foster discussion among its members.